Tag Archives: Dane

When I think about how I live my life, I often catch myself saving things for later, putting them off, or having doubts about whether or not it’s the right time for them.Studying abroad has NOT been one of those instances. Just flying here was an obstacle for me, and I know that the person boarding the plane to the USA will have accomplished far more than the person who boarded the plane to Copenhagen. Since I’ve been here, I have been taking as many opportunities as I could, because I don’t know when, if ever, I will get another chance to come to Europe to learn, see, do, and love all that it has to offer.

With only TEN DAYS LEFT, I find myself thinking about a statement that Vince made recently: “This space in time is unique and will never be replicated.” Even if I were to come back to Copenhagen in the future (which I hope to do), I will not be living in this apartment in city center on Skindergade with fellow DIS students. Each moment we spend here is a chance to make a lasting memory, because those are the most important souvenirs. That said, my housemates in Skindy 14 have become much closer over the past few weeks, cooking family dinners, decorating the house, going out on weekends, and basically just spend time enjoying each others’ company for the last weeks of our time together.

For these last TEN DAYS, I will do everything in my power to give Copenhagen all the love it deserves, and show my appreciation to the beautiful city that will always occupy my memory as my European home. I will not waste this time, for I know I do not have it.

If you think American life is boring and annoying, you’re not alone. A bunch of people here hate on America and think they are going to turn into a real live European (or even a Dane!) just because they’re studying abroad.

While I think there is some value in appreciating the Danish culture and taking aspects of it home, I disagree with this “high on study abroad” attitude. America is a considerable part of who we are, from our habits to our values.

Now that Mia and I have spent much time outside of America, we have thought about the things we miss about living in America, at Villanova, with our friends and family surrounding us. In a particularly long ab ride, we decided to write them down for our readers!

They have special bike lanes in most roads, and even traffic lights for bikers! Since I am determined to become a Dane (and meet a Danish prince charming), I have immediately become a biker.

Me on my bike!

Here’s HOW TO BIKE LIKE A DANE:

Wear wedge heels, and look amazing. There’s no such thing as a shoe unfit for biking in Denmark.

Helmet, schmelmet! How will everyone see your gorgeous blonde hair if you’re covering it with an ugly helmet?!

If you have a child, there are a million types of baskets and seats for your child. And don’t worry, you can still drive as aggressively as you’d like. The kiddie seatbelts are pretty secure.

Once you are all set up, there are some rules to the road. For example, if you want to stop, stick your hand straight up in the air. Then glide gracefully off your seat and put one long, slender leg to the ground. Wanna start back up again? It’s easy! Just push off the ground, begin pedaling, and slide back onto the seat, all in one, graceful, Danish motion!

Turning left and right requires sticking the respective hand out to the side. Passing someone and merging lanes are exceptions. In the states, you’d have to use your blinker. In Denmark, just don’t knock them over and you’re good.

Who knows who has the right of way? If anyone who is not inherently a bike rider can tell me that, I’d love to hear it.

Finally, if you want to bike like a Dane, you have to laugh at all the new Americans who just got their bikes. They do this awkward bike-waddle while they pedal, crash into each other when they stop, and fall off when they start up again. Want to be a nice Dane? Offer to show them directions. They’ll love you forever.

Note to readers: While I am not actually a Dane, I do not do the bike-waddle, nor have I been laughed at by a Danish man named Jonas who then led Mia to her destination.